The dark soul of man exposed in Heart of Darkness Conrad's setting of a "night journey" in the Congo becomes an apt metaphor. This "Heart of Darkness" that Marlow penetrates into the heart of darkness contained in every man. The insights Marlow gains into the condition of the human heart are the same insights gained by an attentive and thoughtful reader. As Marlow makes his way to Kurtz's camp and his knowledge of this wild land deepens, so too does our understanding of the darkness inherent in every man. The discovery is this: in our deepest nature, all men are savages. The name Kurtz, a German abbreviation, has a symbolic meaning. The physical lack in Kurtz implies a lack of character and spirit. His flaws become apparent as Marlow learns more about him: "Mr. Kurtz lacked moderation in gratifying his various lusts." Our enlightenment about the corruption of men's souls finally becomes complete when Marlow meets Kurtz and discovers what Kurtz has truly become, one with the earth, devolved into a primitive state. Marlow and Kurtz could be considered two conditions of human existence, Kurtz represents what man could become if left to his own devices outside of protective society. Marlow, therefore, represents a pure and uncontaminated civilized soul who has not been drawn to savagery by a dark and alienated jungle. According to Conrad, the willingness to give in to the uncivilized man does not reside only in Kurtz. Every man has a heart of darkness within him. This heart is immersed in a bath of light spread by the advent of civilization. No man is an island, and no man can live on an island without becoming a brutal savage. In its heart lies the raw evil of wild lifestyles.